Auto Suggestions are available once you type at least 3 letters. Use up arrow (for mozilla firefox browser alt+up arrow) and down arrow (for mozilla firefox browser alt+down arrow) to review and enter to select.

Overview

Piper Dawson has spent a lifetime living by other people’s rules.

She’s worked hard to get what she wants—a residency at her first choice hospital—and no one will ever tie her down again, not even her severe yet incredibly sexy supervisor, Dr. Alexander “Ace” Lennox.

Ace is done with love. He’s had his heart shattered, and he never wants to go there again. But when he’s inexplicably enticed by the sexy, tattooed woman with blue streaks in her hair and a perpetual smile on her lips, he figures that maybe he can keep it to just sex.

The problem? He thrives on control, and Piper dances just around the edges of it.

Read an Excerpt

Claiming the Enemy

A Pulse Novel

Entangled Publishing, LLC

The large fishbowl full of alcohol sitting on the table in front of Piper Dawson was big enough to soak her head in. She didn't think she was quite that stressed out — not yet, anyway — but if she didn't slam back half of its contents in the next five minutes or so, she figured she'd get to that point.

Scowling down at the electric-blue liquid, she lowered her lips to the electric-blue straw and took a large gulp. Yeah. That was the stuff.

Piper liked to think that she was pretty easygoing, but this week in the ER at Hampton General had driven her to drink.

Eyeing the fishbowl, she plucked out the little yellow umbrella that sat jauntily on the edge, then took another large sip through the straw, savoring the resultant buzz. Yep, the drink was definitely soothing her frayed nerves, but drinking a gallon of something called a Kinky Kutie after every shift was probably not the best habit for a doctor. Or for anyone, for that matter.

She picked up the little paper umbrella and toyed with the tiny mechanism that allowed it to open and shut. On the third pass under her agitated fingers, the fragile pick splintered.

"Figures."

It had just been that kind of week. And she laid the blame squarely on him.

Piper sucked in a deep breath, then let it out slowly as she rolled her neck from side to side, stretching out her stiff muscles. Yes, it was definitely all his fault. His anal-retentive, obsessive compulsive, overly conservative fault.

She just wanted to get along with everyone. Just wanted to heal people. It was the only thing she'd ever really been good at.

Her supervisor? He seemed to make a habit of pushing others away. Including Piper. Like that afternoon when she'd tried to soothe his bad mood by bringing him an icy bottle of cola after lunch, the drink he practically mainlined most days.

He'd told her that if she hadn't bothered to get him the drink, she wouldn't have been two minutes late. She'd retorted that he must have missed the day of kindergarten where they learned to say thank you.

Yeah, she'd stepped over the line. Again. That was the story of her life, at least when it came to this man. She wedged her foot right into her mouth every time she talked to him, because she couldn't keep her opinions on his cranky nature to herself.

Knowing she should forget it, that she should just accept that they'd never get along, she stirred the straw around in her drink. Still, she couldn't stop obsessing over this, just the latest in a chain of altercations with him that had started her very first day at the hospital months earlier. Worrying over the incident was like a tongue probing at a loose tooth — it was uncomfortable, but she couldn't stop.

"There. I think I see a booth in the front there." The voice cut through the low rumble of voices in Score, the sports bar across the street from the hospital. The hour or so after any shift change at the hospital meant the place was busy, full of off-duty doctors and nurses who, like Piper, were looking for a way to wind down a bit after work.

No. Just no. What were the odds? Squeezing her eyes shut, she contemplated that head dunk into the fishbowl again.

That voice ... there was no mistaking that rough whiskey over steel tone. It had her snapping the remains of the umbrella handle in half, the rough wood jabbing into the tender skin of her fingers. And despite the Kinky Kutie now warming her insides, Piper ground her teeth together. Spine poker straight, she twisted in her seat and scanned the crowd. Not there, not there — ahh. Yep, she'd heard correctly.

Fuck me.

Dr. Alexander "Ace" Lennox, her residency supervisor, aka the biggest pain in the ass to have ever lived, had just walked into Score with a woman at his side. Of course there was a woman — the hospital rumor mill churned out almost daily reports on his love life. Not that she cared.

The relaxation she'd been seeking evaporated like cool water under the desert sun as he made his way to a booth near her.

Really? Ugh.

All she wanted right now was to drink her giant fishbowl, have a nice walk home in the salty sea air, then soak for an hour in a steaming hot bath before she and her cat had a nice long Netflix binge.

The nine seasons of Friends never got old.

Piper turned back around just as Ace slid into the booth, his back to hers. Just knowing he was there was enough to ruin her Zen. No way could she just return to her Kutie, not with Ace's overbearing, stick-inthe-mud vibe directly behind her, invading her space.

The memory of that bottle of cola, her peace offering, made her glower.

"Well, isn't this ... nice?" The woman with him spoke. Piper had gotten a quick glance when they first walked in. The woman was older. Brunette. Beautiful, if you were into that cool, slick, cougar kind of thing. Piper's lips curved into a derisive smirk.

It figured that would be Ace's deal. He was so very proper that a sophisticated older woman just fit.

Not that she cared.

"Mom, I told you." Hold up. Mom? Piper's fingers slipped on her glass as she leaned back, drawn into the conversation even though she knew better.

"I don't have much of a break today, so it's this or the hospital cafeteria for lunch. That's why I told you to come tomorrow."

"Alexander. Don't speak to me like that." The woman's voice was smooth and cultured, but there was just the faintest edge to it — one Piper recognized.

"Goes both ways, Mom." Piper heard Ace shift in his seat. He sighed. "Sorry. It's been a long day. It's good to see you. I'm looking forward to dinner tonight."

"I am, too. And I'm not judging, Alexander." Piper mouthed the word but as the woman spoke it. "But I worry about you. I want to know that you're taking care of yourself. And taking me to a pub for lunch doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Is this where you usually eat? Greasy food doesn't have much nutrition."

He just told you why he brought you here! Piper felt her spine straighten. It was one thing for her to poke at Ace. It was quite another thing when someone else did it. Even if that someone was his mother.

"Remember that whole thing where I'm an adult and a medical doctor?" Ace's voice was low, but Piper knew that stiffness in his tone. "I'm well aware of how to fuel my body."

Blood rushed to Piper's cheeks at hearing the word body on Ace's lips. Why it did, she couldn't have said.

They focused on the human form all day long. This shouldn't have been any different.

She blamed it on the alcohol. It certainly wasn't because she harbored any kind of crush on him. There wouldn't have been a point — he was her supervisor. Hospital policy said that there could never be anything between them.

Not that I want there to be. Jeez. What is wrong with me? He's an asshole, and I don't do assholes.

"I know." Ace's mother — finally — seemed like she was backing down. Exhaling, Piper leaned forward for another sip of her drink.

She wound up jabbing herself in the cheek with her straw when the beep of a text message cut through the noise of the bar.

There was a pause, and then the woman spoke again. "Our dinner reservation is at La Mer at seven, yes?"

Unable to stop herself, Piper took a quick peek over her shoulder. Ace's mom was tapping away at her phone, returning a text. Ace was staring out across the bar, affording her a view of his profile. It was easy viewing — grumpy or not, the man's angular face, stormy eyes, and habitual five o'clock shadow were not hard to look at.

But there was tension in that finely honed jaw, frustration in the set of his head. She fought against it, but that expression on the face of her normally stoic supervisor poked at her heart, a bit.

He was always in control. Always had the answer. Seeing him looking ill at ease was just ... wrong.

"It is." As he spoke, Ace turned, just a fraction, but in that moment his eyes met Piper's, noticing her presence for the first time. Something flickered across his face, not vivid enough to really count as an emotion, but Piper still felt quite clearly that he wasn't thrilled to see her there.

She wasn't sure why, but it hurt. Just a tiny bit.

Then he turned away. Facing her own table, Piper shook her head to clear it.

Clearly the alcohol was affecting her if she was feeling mushy toward a man who treated her like dirt. Looking around for Gemma, the waitress, she picked up the laminated menu. She'd order a little something to soak up the booze before she went home.

Oh, no. Not today.

Lounging against the long wooden bar was a man still dressed in his hospital scrubs. The back of his dark-haired head was to her, but the way he puffed his chest as he overtly flirted with Gemma set alarm bells ringing.

Piper had dated Estevan Alvarado for a few weeks, back when she'd first started at Hampton General. Finally finished with umpteen years of schooling, she'd let herself be carried away by him.

Too bad he'd thought that a nice face made up for an unbelievably chauvinistic personality. Even in the short time they'd been together, he'd made it clear that he had one nasty set of double standards. She'd broken things off after she caught him cozying up to one of the maternity nurses in a supply closet — oh yes, the cliché — but since he hadn't been the one to end it, he liked to make her as uncomfortable as possible every time they ran into one another.

Thankfully, that wasn't often, since he was up in the cardiac ward and she was down in the ER. Still, she couldn't avoid seeing him once in a while — like now, at Score after shift change.

Don't look at me. Don't look at me.

Her thoughts might as well have been broadcast via bullhorn, because as soon as Gemma slid Estevan's beer toward him, he swiveled on his stool and turned in her direction, though he hadn't seen her yet.

Piper's stomach sank. If he saw her — he'd proposition her, then when she refused he'd bully her with subtle put-downs. Despite knowing better, she'd leave the encounter feeling unworthy of, well, anything, and that was a mental state she'd worked long and hard to overcome.

Before she could think it through, she'd risen to her feet, drink in hand. She had no idea what she was going to do with it — dump it down his pants, maybe — but her fingers curled around the stem of the glass so tightly they hurt.

Maybe she could slip out of here without him seeing her. But ... no. As though she'd screamed out his name, he tilted his head, eyes locking in on her. The smile that crossed his face screamed target acquired! Fire at will!

Not today. She just couldn't. Her body strained from the tension. As Estevan crossed the bar, homing in on her like a shark to his prey, there was only one way she could think of to get out of this situation.

She and Ace didn't like each other, but he seemed like a stand-up kind of guy — if a cranky one. And right now she needed his help.

Without the Kutie, she might not have been brave enough, but before she could think it through, Piper slid smoothly into his booth. As she wiggled against him to get him to move over, his expression made her simultaneously blanche and want to howl with laughter.

If she'd smacked him upside the head with that damn bottle of cola, he couldn't have looked more surprised. His eyes were wide as she set her drink down on the scarred wooden table and smiled brightly up at him. His mouth fell open, just a bit, as she finally succeeded in moving him over enough to make room for her.

She was intimately familiar with the expression on his face — the one that asked what the fuck she was doing. Ignoring his mother sitting across the table, she leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"Please. Please just play along. I need your help."

"What are you doing, Dawson?" Ace's storm gray eyes narrowed dangerously, and he grimaced as though he'd swallowed a mouthful of sour lemonade. Piper winced, pleading with wide eyes.

"Alexander. What is happening?" The woman on the other side of the table pinned her son with a Look with a capital L before shifting her attention.

From the corner of her eye Piper saw the tall, swarthy figure of Estevan approaching the table. She sucked in a deep breath, preparing herself for the incoming storm.

And then she felt Ace's arm, slowly, cautiously curling around her shoulders. Relief was an icy stream of water on a steaming hot day as she sagged against him.

Ace's mother inhaled sharply, no doubt wondering what the hell was going on, and then Estevan was there. He stopped beside the booth, that toothy smile shining brightly, but Piper could see the laser sharp focus in his eyes, taking in the situation, trying to twist it to his advantage.

"Piper Dawson." He cocked his head, studying the way she sat snugly against Ace's body. "It's been a while."

"Yep." Not long enough. She tried to smile, she really did, but she knew the expression was tight. She wouldn't put it past him to hit on her even though she was obviously — supposedly — here with another man.

Tapping his fingers against his beer bottle, he cocked an eyebrow, and Piper braced herself for it.

Beside her, Ace sat up straighter. A quick glance had her blinking with shock — he was posturing like the leader of a wolf pack, chest puffed out, spine straight, face twisted in a glare.

"May I help you?" Despite his tough exterior, Ace's voice was calm — amused, even. As though the thought of someone trying to steal his woman was ludicrous, because any woman with him would be far too satisfied to look elsewhere, even for a minute.

To her complete astonishment, Estevan simply nodded. At Ace, of course — it wasn't like she had a mind of her own or anything.

"Just saying hi to an old friend." The ridiculousness of that made Piper snort out loud, which had all three looking at her strangely.

Foot, mouth. Though, this time she supposed it was actually nose.

To her utter disbelief and absolute delight, Estevan continued walking. Hell, she could handle a little male chauvinism if it meant that he left her alone.

"Phew." She exhaled noisily. The lean plane of heat pressed against her side shifted, drawing her attention back to her current predicament.

The woman across the table — Ace's mother — seemed utterly confused by the entire situation. And when Piper dared a glance up at her unlikely hero?

His expression was inscrutable. Though, if she looked really hard — and she did — she thought that she could maybe, just maybe, discern the slightest twinkle of amusement in those iron-gray eyes.

That amusement evaporated when his mother cleared her throat and pinned her son with that capital L Look before shifting her attention to Piper. The once-over that the woman gave her was quick — Piper doubted that Ace, being a man, even noticed it.

But she sure did. And though she rarely cared what other people thought of her, for some reason the cool granite stare of this woman had her feeling ... less than.

"Alexander, you didn't tell me that you were dating anyone." His mother's smile was tight.

Beside her, Ace choked on a sip of his cola. Piper looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes, waiting for him to make the next move. She fully expected him to deny it — that was the truth, after all, and there was no reason to continue the charade.

It was her turn to be stunned when he instead tightened the arm around her.

"It's ... new." He smiled, and if he hadn't had his arm around her, she might have just fallen over. "Mom, this is Piper Dawson. Piper, this is my mother, Rosemary Lennox."

Rosemary smiled tightly, though, to her credit, she probably thought she had concealed most of the strain. Piper's momentary triumph wilted under the scrutiny. "Alexander has never mentioned you."

Wow.

The elder Lennox didn't have to say much to convey her disapproval. Piper stiffened beneath the watchful eyes that told her in no uncertain terms that she didn't approve. A quick once-over of her own made it easy to see why.

Loved Ace ' s alpha ways. The book is short however the story is fully developed as is the characters making it the perfect afternoon read jenn

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Really good.

Cheryl-S

More than 1 year ago

4.5 Stars
This fantastic story features Dr. Piper Dawson and Dr. Alexander "Ace" Lennox. He's a tough nut to crack. She only wanted to befriend him. Maybe get him to be a little less cranky. Whoa! She got more than she bargained for when he rescued her at a bar from unwanted attention from another man. Their agreement of short term "sex only" was great…at first. Well, we all know how that turns out. Except this author spins a delicious story around these two and the spark start flying! I love how Ace would always get angry with his mother whenever she'd say anything derogatory about Piper, even before he really got to know her. That's how a real man deals with a meddling mother.
Great story with fabulous characters! I can't wait to read more from this amazing author.

Lori-Gonzo

More than 1 year ago

The story between Ace and Piper was unbelievably smoking hot! Oh what a delicious dirty talker Ace was. Goodness he had a way with words. They were just so sexy together. Their connection was combustible and they brought each other to life. They were both afraid to commit but wanted more from the other, despite what they told one another. I thoroughly loved the wake up call/conversation they both had and the ending was sweet and smoking. The epilogue is beyond cute. The story line had a great easy pace that was hard to put down.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Could not put it down, a really good read.

Maria-Rose

More than 1 year ago

If the relationships on a show like ER (I know, I'm dating myself with that one), Grey's Anatomy or another favorite medical drama are what keep you tuning into them time and time again then a romance like this should be on your shelf, with the knowledge that the couple will stay together at the end! While there is a little bit of the 'forbidden workplace romance' trope at play, with Piper being a new resident at the hospital and Ace technically her boss, it's not overdone and the result is a sexy and fun story about a straightlaced guy and a free spirited gal finding that opposites do indeed attract. When Ace comes to the rescue for Piper from an ex who just won't leave her alone, it's the start of a sexy affair between these two who had been more antagonistic than friendly until then - perhaps because neither wanted to admit that they were actually attracted to each other.
It doesn't take long for this couple to heat things up and we get some steamy scenes (yes, some at work even!) between them even as they both acknowledge that they are going to have a friends with benefits relationship that has an end point - especially since Piper is waiting to hear news about a full time job in another city when her residency is done. It's Ace who has to decide what's going to make him happy - his career, or being with Piper no matter where they might end up. I loved the two of them together, the way they played off each other and their snarky banter as they find that sometimes it's good to let down one's guard and let someone new in. Piper's ex causes a bit of drama but nothing too over the top and in the end it's a lighthearted and sexy romance that fits in well with the other Pulse series stories. 4 stars!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

An excellent, well-written, sexy contemporary romance!
I instantly was pulled into the lives of Doctor's Piper Dawson and Ace Lennox. Piper, a former foster child turned doctor doing her residency at a hospital in the Hampton's can't seem to break through the wall of her impersonal, gruff supervisor "Ace" until she turns to him for help in a very public moment and ends up helping him in return. What initially starts out as two co-workers who annoy each other at work turns into two co-workers who can't keep their hands off each other and who are falling in love. Both are a little damaged and have insecurities to get over, family that gets in the way and of course there is the drama from co-workers at the hospital. This is a very realistic, quick, entertaining read that lets you escape for an afternoon to enjoy this sweet and sexy romance. Highly enjoyable and recommended.

CCarroll

More than 1 year ago

I love this book. It was everything I was looking for and then some. With hints of erotica along with some deliciously hot sex this book was hard to put down.
Ace is so hot and one of those characters you just pray would actually be real so you could meet and fall for him yourself. Plus I love Piper. She is smart and unique but not without her own insecurities. A perfect balance for Ace.
The author did a fabulous job when writing the story. Nothing deep, no suspense, no angst (thank goodness), just solid writing that entertains, amuses, and leaves you wanting more.
copy received for review purposes

Loves2Read

More than 1 year ago

Was gifted a copy of this book for an honest review.
I will say straight off that it definitely does not lack in the panty melting department. I have not read the previous books in this series but was able to follow with no issues. Missing something that I can't quite put my finger on but a definite great read for a cold night

gigiluvsbooks

More than 1 year ago

Piper Dawson has spent a lifetime living by other people’s rules.
She’s worked hard to get what she wants—a residency at her first choice hospital—and no one will ever tie her down again, not even her severe yet incredibly sexy supervisor, Dr. Alexander “Ace” Lennox.
Ace is done with love. He’s had his heart shattered, and he never wants to go there again. But when he’s inexplicably enticed by the sexy, tattooed woman with blue streaks in her hair and a perpetual smile on her lip, he figures that maybe he can keep it to just sex.
The problem? He thrives on control, and Piper dances just around the edges of it.
But when they're together, control is the first thing to go...
Review:
This is book three in this multi-author series. Each is a stand alone with recurring characters spread throughout the series.
Basically, this is a fake significant other to help the other person out of a sticky situation. Then add in they are boss and employee, have a love/hate working relationship working and all kinds of things happen to this would-be couple. This is a shorter read and the heat turns up fairly quickly between these two co-workers. And when I say heat level turns up, it gets scorching pretty quick. They both try to fight their feelings as they both have their reasons, but realize that they are perfect for each other despite their differences. The Author puts a touch of humor in her characters that I really like, some of the dialogue was making me chuckle as I was reading it. I won't say too much more because it is a shorter story. I will say that I have read quite a few of this authors books in the past and like the others it is well-written, super sexy and left me feeling satisfied after I finished it.
4Stars
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

astroyic

More than 1 year ago

Fantastic, this was one delicious, tantalizing sizzling, enemies to lovers romance, from cover to cover. The Heat is on so get ready to have your libido kicked into overdrive with this read. You will not want to put it down.
This was entertaining and fun and incredibly hot. Piper and Ace have an insatiable heat and chemistry between the two and it is explosive. I loved Pipers confidence, strength and style. She might have innocence embedded into her skin but she is the sexiest woman he had ever seen. Ace is the total package, he is powerful and commanding in a subtle but strong way, and I loved it when he got his alpha male on. Their connection was electric.
It was an excellent story of them coming together. It was definitely sizzling hot! There was a nice amount of drama and tension as well. I thought this was well written with a great story. Good build and pace. Loved it!
Received a complimentary copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ljtljtljt

More than 1 year ago

I enjoy medical romances and Claiming the Enemy by Lauren Hawkeye is a hot one. This is the third book from Entangled's Pulse series, and I look forward to reading more from the contributing authors. Each book can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Emergency room physician Piper Dawson has worked really hard to get into the residency program of her choice. As a former foster child, she never felt like she fit in or belonged anywhere. Doctoring is what she does best and she feels at home every time she walks through the main entrance of Hampton General. Piper is a beautiful woman, with blue streaks in her hair and gold tattooed stars scattered across her shoulder. Piper's supervisor, Dr. Alexander Lennox, or "Ace" to his close friends, is a smart and sexy man who likes to be in control at all times. He never wants to be hurt by love again, so he has built barriers around his heart in order to prevent it from aching. Piper is able to break down Ace's emotional barricades, and very quickly their sex play becomes very meaningful.
This sensual short is a real scorcher. The sexy times between Piper and Ace are off the charts hot, due to Ace's unique dominance in the bedroom. On occasion, the plot takes a back seat to all the sexual activity that is going on. Two of the secondary characters, one being Ace's mom, a snooty wench, and the second, Dr. Alvardo, Piper's manipulative ex-boyfriend, add some nastiness to the story. If you are in the mood for a fast-paced read that packs a ton of heated sizzle, then check out this book.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

etoile1996

More than 1 year ago

the title for claiming the enemy is a bit misleading, since i'm not sure that doctors piper dawson and alexander "ace" lennox can be described as enemies. she's a resident at hampton bay hospital and he is her attending physician, her boss. after a childhood spent bouncing around foster homes, piper can't help being a people pleaser. she likes to be liked. she actually kind of needs it, craves it, because that's what a childhood filled with rejection does to you. and ace has put up walls around himself to avoid getting involved with anyone since his wife died, and doesn't appreciate piper's attempts to break down those walls even if all she is doing is fostering a friendly work environment.
it's too bad that the short length of the novel doesn't really delve more into piper's psyche. ace notes her sapphire-streaked hair and tattoos, and he also notices that at times she doesn't feel comfortable in her own skin, but instead of developing this further the author focuses on the chemistry between the two leads.
ace's own trauma of losing his first wife to a drunk driver is only slightly more developed than piper's past. it would have been nice to know whether or not ace's dominant side had always been in play or it had been something that grew out of his need for control after his wife's death. on the flipside, ace's dominant nature led to some pretty steamy scenes. once piper and ace give into their passion, it's pretty much impossible for them to keep their clothes on around each other.
there is some token complication about the relationship being forbidden due to hospital policies, but that is wrapped up tidily and somewhat hilariously in a scene where their supervisor is like "um, who didn't know you two were hot for each other?" if you are looking for a short, steamy read with a happy ending, you needn't look further.
**claiming the enemy will publish on september 12, 2016. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (brazen) in exchange for my honest review.

AmberatWickedGoodblog

More than 1 year ago

SMOKING HOT!!
This story has sexy times written all over it! Up, down, left, right and cover to cover - nothing but good sexy times to be seen here. Sometimes thats a good thing, sometimes not so much. For Drs. Ace Lennox and Piper Dawson, yes the sex was over the moon and off the charts HOT. I loved the fact that Ace was a dirty talking alpha who was bossy and demanding. I love to see that in a male character (do I ever, yo!). And Piper was sassy... oh she was! Tattoos, blue streaks in her hair - she tempted him to his limits and beyond. WOOO! But I needed just a bit more to the story. It really felt incomplete. I needed more of Ace and Piper together, not just in the bedroom. (I cant believe im saying this.) More of them separately, their backstories and more of the emotional side of them - at least Ace. I really ended up knowing nothing about him. Other than the naughty stuff. But hey.. im calling that a win ;). I think maybe if this book was longer and the author had more pages and time to develop the characters it would have made more sense to me. As it stands, it was a good quick, hot read with no drama - perfect for an afternoon alone!

LoriP123

More than 1 year ago

I really enjoyed this HOT romance by Lauren Hawkeye!
Piper is living her life the way that she wants after living the way others expected her to for years. She has worked hard to get what she wants- college, medical school and residency at a first choice hospital. She isn't going to let anyone hold her back- not her foster family or her supervisor, Dr. Alexander Lennox.
Ace is all about fun! When is comes to relationships he's all about short and sweet. He wants to have fun and move on. He's done the relationship thing and it broke his heart so now nothing serious, but Piper has enticed him in ways he never thought he would ever be again.
I was given an ARC for an honest review. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

JenniferSchultheisJS

More than 1 year ago

Claiming the Enemy by Lauren Hawkeye is one sexy, medical romance. First of all, put "enemy" anywhere in the title, and it’s an immediate one-click for me. Combine that with a workplace romance and it was like I couldn’t read it fast enough.
Piper Dawson is a hard worker. She’s quick on feet, very smart, and doesn’t have any plans of letting someone tie her down. She’s worked too hard for that. But when Piper asks her supervisor, Dr. Alexander (Ace), to help her out with a little problem, what she sets in motion is nothing she could have expected.
Ace lost his wife years ago and put up walls to never get close to anyone. Sex is all he can do, but being with Piper is a game changer. She’s melting the ice over his heart, whether he likes it or not. Their chemistry is intense and once they cross boundaries, they can never go back to the way things were.
Claiming the Enemy was a very sexy and well-written read with likable characters and sizzling interactions.

Bette313

More than 1 year ago

Just an ok read for me. Definitely hot with sexy times galore but I thought it was a bit light on the story. The entire relationship between Ace and Piper is based on the physical aspects. I know the whole thing started as sex only but I didn't see the flip in emotions anywhere in the story so he left me thinking ....hmmm, when did that happen? It is a light sexy read though so if that's what your looking for this one will work.

Linda__

More than 1 year ago

I really enjoyed this book, it's a new take on the traditional opposites attracting tale. The characters were interesting and Piper was quirky and endearing.
When emergency medicine resident Piper begins a physical relationship with her supervisor, Ace, the only things either of them can foresee are problems. Piper is especially worried about losing the career she has worked so hard to build. Add in the jerk ex-boyfriend stiffing up trouble and you have an entertaining book.
I gave this four stars instead of five because I wish we knew more about Ace's background - all we have are a few brief facts about him. I felt that Piper was a much more developed character. Additionally, the novel was heavier on sex than story and I would have really enjoyed more depth to the story.
This is an enjoyable novel that fans of the genre will want to read.

Theresakerch-28

More than 1 year ago

Extremely hot
This was a great read. With a hospital romance there always has intrigue and hot sex going on. Lauren Hawkeye wrote a great story that keeps you never wanting to put down the book and with scorching scenes.
Ace and Piper are trying to "help"each other but realize that there is chemistry between them. Can they just get the chemistry out of their systems or are they meant for each other. This was a wonderful story

Lashea677

More than 1 year ago

Claiming the Enemy is a spicy enigma. Ms. Hawkeye brings the sizzle but displays an air of seriousness as well. Piper and Ace deal with guilt, grief and self image issues as they rapidly and awkwardly fall into love. Piper was not afraid to be herself but her emotions were easily bruised by the opinions of others. Her outer shell hides deep wounds that are hard to escape. Ace has loved and loss. His tragedy has left him broken inside and he hides behind an unbridgeable aloofness that offends others but protects himself. The breaking down of barriers exposes the pain inside and gives each a chance to heal. There is temptation, drama and feeling that shine like a diamond in all it's glory. Not always light and pretty but the beauty lies in the work to achieve the glow. 4.0 stars